Author: Beaver County Radio

Steelers rookie quarterback Drew Allar has not signed with the team yet

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws for a touchdown during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game agaisnt Notre Dame, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Nine of the ten 2026 draft picks from the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed with the team. Rookie quarterback Drew Allar is the only player from that group who has still not signed with the team yet. Allar was drafted in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft after his senior season at Penn State. He participated in the team’s entire offseason program.

US gas prices fall below $4 for 1st time since March of 2026, but still 25% higher than last year

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Customer checks gas price before she fills up her vehicle’s tank at a gas station in Lincolnshire, Ill., Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. gas prices fell below $4 a gallon on average Thursday, but just barely.

It is the first time since March that the average cost for a regular gallon has been that low. Prices fell overnight after President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country.

Gas prices are at $3.999 on average in the U.S., according to motor club AAA. The drop below $4 follows a 15% decline in the price of U.S. crude this month.

But fluctuations in gas prices remain across the country. In California, gas prices are averaging $5.64 per gallon, while in South Carolina it’s $3.58 per gallon.

The agreement between the U.S. and Iran calls for a permanent end to hostilities and starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear program, though Trump left the door open to resume attacks. It appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return.

Oil prices fell Monday to about $80 for a barrel of U.S. benchmark crude. That compares to $67 per barrel before the war and the price of over $120 a barrel reached earlier in the conflict.

Even as gas prices start to decline, it is anticipated to take weeks or months for oil to start flowing through the Strait of Hormuz again.

Before the war, the strait carried a fifth of the world’s crude oil. Now, it will take time for hundreds of ships trapped in the Persian Gulf to exit through the narrow strait. And Gulf oil producers that throttled back production will need time to get the oil moving again. Analysts also say ship captains may take their time to decide if passage is safe and that the threat of attack from Iran has truly receded.

In addition, refineries typically pay for crude oil a month or more in advance, so even after oil prices drop, they won’t immediately be processing cheaper products.

Fighting over the Strait of Hormuz disrupted not only supplies of crude and refined fuel but also the supply chains for fertilizer, food and even footwear. Businesses expect higher costs to linger, which means their customers might need to prepare for that too.

Mass and dinner held for 35th anniversary of St. Joseph Perpetual Adoration Chapel in Beaver Falls, only one of its kind in Beaver County

(Credit for Photos: Headline Photo and Photo Below Courtesy of St. Monica Catholic Church, Beaver Falls Location)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) A Mass and dinner were held yesterday at St. Monica Catholic Church in Beaver Falls to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the St. Joseph Perpetual Adoration Chapel, the only one of its kind in Beaver County. This chapel was started on June 2nd, 1991 in New Brighton and was made to adore the real presence of Jesus Christ. It eventually moved to the present site of St. Monica Catholic Church in 2013. Adorers and their families shared memories at the dinner and the adorers brought dishes to celebrate. All of the participants also received tickets for door prizes at the dinner, which were also given out to several winners. 

Leonard Alan Gustafson (1945-2026)

Leonard Alan Gustafson, 80, of Beaver Falls, passed away on June 14th, 2026, at Providence Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in Montclair (Glen Ridge), New Jersey on December 10th, 1945, a son of the late Robert (Torsten) and Elizabeth Gustafson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Dan Carlson of Brownsville, Texas, Paul Gustafson of West Caldwell, New Jersey, and John Gustafson of York, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Reeta and Donald Jones of Big Beaver and numerous nephews, nieces, great nieces and great nephews.

Leonard was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He worked as a driver for an Auto Parts store before retiring. He was an avid dog enthusiast who found endless joy in the companionship of his canines. He was a passionate sports fan and could always be found glued to the television when his favorite team, the New York Yankees were on. He rarely missed a Pittsburgh Pirates or Pittsburgh Steelers game.

In accoardance with his wishes, there will be no funeral service for Leonard, and a private interment will be held at Grandview Cemetery, 139 Norwood Drive, Beaver Falls.

A special thanks goes out to all those who cared for him at Providence Health and Rehab Center and at Gateway Hospice. Their kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.

Pearl “Paraskevya” (Jula) Petkash (1937-2026)

Pearl “Paraskevya” (Jula) Petkash, 88, passed away peacefully on June 17th, 2026. She was born on November 2nd, 1937, the daughter of the late Helen (Rusinko) and Nestor Jula of Fair Oaks.

She was the devoted wife of her late husband, Donald Eugene Petkash and the loving mother of Dawna (the late Gregory) Beckett, Karen (James) Larrimer, and the late Michael (Maria) Petkash. She took amazing and dedicated care of her mother Helen, until she passed at the age of 101. She was also was preceded in death by her husband by her son-in-law, Gregory, and her husband’s parents, Olga and Mike Petkash. She was the youngest of twelve children. Her six brothers and seven sisters and each of their spouses preceded her in death. She is survived by her six grandchildren who she deeply loved: Christopher and Michael Beckett, Ryan (Roxie) Smart, Allison, Derek and Hayley Larrimer, two beautiful great grandchildren, Landon and Cecilia Smart, her two sister-in-laws, Ruth (Tom) Koloski and Elaine (Danny) Smith and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Pearl was a life-long active member of the Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church in Ambridge. She was a woman of strong faith. She was a caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own. She faced every challenge in life with courage and dignity, including her over 20 months under hospice care where she had such a will to keep living. She was a source of inspiration those who knew her and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched. She graduated from Leetsdale High School and from Earl Wheeler Finishing School. After marrying her husband, they moved to Sunland, California and then eventually moved back “home” to Fair Oaks, where they lived for many years before moving to Economy Borough. She also enjoyed many years of going with the family to her cottage at Pymatuning Lake. She worked at the Watson Home School, American Bridge Company, Rocketdyne, and H.H. Robertson. Her most loved job, outside of caring for her family, was as a successful Avon Representative for 28 Years. She loved her customers and prided herself on being in the Presidents Club for many years.

Her family is grateful to Susan, a special private care aid, who cared for Pearl’s needs, that grew over time through 15 years as well as importantly to Jill and Carla, both personal aides who cared deeply for Pearl and helped the family immensely over the past year and a half. Her family is also grateful to the Bethany Hospice caregivers, especially Maddie and Chris, and to the caregivers at The Province of Wexford, we are so thankful. They would also like to thank Fr. Bill Evansky, who visited and prayed with Pearl regularly throughout the years she was unable to be in church in person.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 19th from 10 A.M. until the time of a funeral Service at 11 A.M. in the Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church, 210 Maplewood Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Ambridge or to Bethany Hospice, 400 Holiday Drive #101, Pittsburgh.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pearl “Paraskevya”, please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Judith Lynn Cardosi (1957-2026)

Judith Lynn Cardosi, 68, of Emsworth, passed away on June 14th, 2026, at her home.

She was born in New Brighton on June 24th, 1957, a daughter of Jean B. (Facciolio) Cardosi Eckhardt and the late Henry Cardosi. In addition to her mother, Jean B. (Facciolio) Cardosi Eckhardt, she is survived by her siblings: Christine (Tony) Rosatone, Barbara (Meric) Hume, Richard (Karen) Cardosi, and Paul (Lisa) Cardosi; along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Judith was a graduate of New Brighton High School and was a veteran of the United States Navy. She worked as the site manager of Calais Village in Ross Township for over 20 years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and loved her nieces and nephews as well as their children.

No services will be held at this time for Judith.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 1501 1st Avenue, New Brighton.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Wendy R. Groves (1979-2026)

Wendy R. Groves, 47, of Baden, tragically passed away on June 15th, 2026. She was born on April 27th, 1979, a beloved daughter of the late Jack and Beverly Groves.

She is survived by her children, Sebastian “Pimpy” Bonner and Rylee Bonner, her sisters, Ginger (Bob) Helsel and Sherry (Scott) Donvan, her aunt, Kandy (Fred Conner) Milliken, her uncle, Randy Thomson, her cousins, Mary Jo Conner and Cassie Lindmann and her former husband, J.J. Bonner.

She was a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School and she found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved spending time thrift shopping with her daughter and had a special place in her heart for animals, especially her six beloved cats. Above all else, her greatest love was her children. She was a devoted and supportive mother who cherished every moment with Sebastian and Rylee and encouraged them in all they pursued.

Services will be held at a later date and will be announced by her family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Aliquippa man and Pittsburgh woman charged after two-vehicle crash in Cranberry Township

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported that two drivers were charged after a two-vehicle crash in Cranberry Township on Tuesday. Twenty-two-year-old Kaja Johnson of Aliquippa and twenty-six-year-old Rezy Johnson of Pittsburgh were both driving motorcycles on I-76 East on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 12:17 p.m. Kaja Johnson hit the motorcycle of Rezy Johnson when Kaja was trying to pass a vehicle in the right lane. Both drivers were seriously injured as a result of this crash and were transported to UPMC Mercy Hospital.

Representative Roman Kozak: Nearly $1.46 Million in Natural Gas Impact Fees Awarded to 14th District

(File Photo of State Representative Roman Kozak)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Chippewa Township, PA) State Representative Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) announced today in Chippewa Township that Beaver County will receive more than $824,000 in impact fees from the natural gas industry. The municipalities in the 14th Legislative District will also receive an additional $634,000.

Impact fees are levied in addition to the regular business taxes that are paid by every corporation in Pennsylvania. The disbursements were established in 2012 to ensure that communities that are affected by drilling receive their fair share of funding for projects such as housing, road and bridge repairs, and other infrastructure needs.

AHN’s Allegheny General Hospital Unveils New, State-of-the-Art Cardiac Cath and Electrophysiology Labs, following Completion of $19 Million Renovation Project

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN’s) Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) announced today in Pittsburgh the completion of a $19 million renovation and expansion of its cardiac catheterization (cath) and electrophysiology (EP) labs, along with upgraded pre- and post-operative holding rooms and a centralized registration area within the AHN Cardiovascular Institute.

AHN AGH’s new facilities mark the latest milestone for the hospital’s Mario Lemeiux Center for Heart Rhythm Care, which was established in 2024 in partnership with the Mario Lemeiux Foundation and Highmark Health.

AHN AGH now currently operates three cath labs, three EP labs, two multiprocedural rooms, and one hybrid surgical suite adaptable for either cardiac cath or EP procedures.

All of the surgical spaces as well as the patient holding area, registration and clinical administration offices are now located on the same floor within the hospital, which creates easier navigation and check-in and general access for clinicians, patients and their families.